Improvement in oscillating engines



G. G. LUBDELL.' Oscillating-Engine.

Patented March .2,1875.

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THE GRAPHIC CD.PHOT0.LITM.39&41PARK PLACJLY.

2 Sheets--Sheet 2. G. G. LBDELL.

Oscillating-Engine. N0. 160,447. Patented March2,1875.

WIMESSE@ MMM 7M am JJ Y img. d/mm w THE GRAPHIG:C0.PHOTO.LITH.39 8:41PARK PLAGEJLY.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE G. LOBDELL, OF WILMINGTON, DELAWARE.

IMPROVEMENT IN OSCILLATING ENGINES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 160,447, dated March 2,1875; application iiled August 6, 1873.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE G. LoBDELL,

of Wilmington, New Castle county, State of,

Delaware, have invented certain Improvements in Steam-Engines, of whichthe following is a specification: l

The object of my invention is to so apply circular and vibrating valvesto the valvechests of steam-engines that both the perfect tightness andeasy working of the valves are insured. My invention also relates tomechanism for operating the said valves in vibrating engines.

In Sheet 1 I have illustrated my improved valves as applied to thecylinder of a vibrating engine; but it should be understood that it isequally applicable to xed cylinders.

Figure 1, Sheet l, is a vertical section of the cylinder with theimproved valves; Fig. 2, a sectional plan on the line l 2; and Figs. 3and 4, alongitudinal and transverse section of one of the valves and itsseat, drawn to an enlarged scale.

A is a steam-cylinder, having the tubular trunnions a a', common toother vibrating cylinders, and two exhaust steam-chests, b b, and twosteam-chests, d el. The cylinder is incased throughout its whole lengthby a jacket, the space between which and the said cylinder is separatedby a partition into two passages, one for the conveyance of live steamfrom one trunnion to the steam-chests, and the other for directing theexhaust steam to the other trunnion, as will be readily understood byreference to the sectional plan view, Fig. 2.

It will be evident that this plan of devoting the space within thejacket surrounding a cylinder partly to a steam-passage, and partly to apassage for exhaust steam, is applicable to xed cylinders, and that theplan serves to maintain the interior of the cylinders at the desiredhigh temperature.

Through each chest passes a spindle, e, the outer end of which isadapted to a socket, f, tted to a bracket, D, attached to the cover E ofthe chest, a spiral spring contained in the socket being caused to bearagainst the end of the spindle by a set-screw, H, and the opposite endof the spindle fitting into a socket in the rear cover E of the chest,which has a set-screw, h', for causing a spring to bear against this endof the spindle. The valveseat F, best observed in Figs. 3 and 4,consists of a tapering circular sleeve, iitted tightly into annular ribsz', within and forming part of the chest, the seat having a number ofoblong slots, jj, in two sets, separated from each other by an annularrib, 7c, there being in the present instance six slots in each set, asshown in Fig. 4. To the seat is fitted the tapering valve G, having acentral hub, m, for attachment to the spindle-e, the valve having slotscorresponding with those of the sleeve.

The manner in which these valves, by their vibratory movement, admit thesteam from one trunnion to the cylinder, and exhaust it from the latterthrough the other trunnion to the condenser, will be readily understood.l prefer to place the valve and its seat eccentrically in the chest, asshown in the detached view, Fig. 5, so that the passage around the seatfor the steam will be commensurate with its volume.

It is essential to the proper working of these valves that they shouldhave considerable taper, as shown in Fig. 3, and that provision shouldbe made for accurate adjustment. This is secured by the set-screws 7Land 11.', acting' on the opposite ends of the valve-spindle throughelastic mediums, which will prevent the valve from becoming either tootight or too loose in its seat, and will insure freedom of movement, asI have found by practical tests.

The manner of operating the valves is illustrated by Fig. 6, Sheet 2, inconnection with an oscillating engine. The spindle e of the steam-valvein each chest d is furnished with an arm, H, which is connected by arod, I, to an arm, J, the two arms J J being hung by pins 'n a to abracket, K, secured to one of the trunnions a, and a spring, p, tendingto force each arm J against a stop, q, on the said bracket. To guides LL on the frame-work of the engine is adapted a horizontal slide, M,which is under the control of the governor of the engine, thegovernor-rod being connected to the long arm t of a bell-crank leverhung to a projection on the guide L, and the short arm of the leverhaving a pin entering the slide M. To this slide are hung twosteelpointed dogs, o o, each dog being acted on by a spring, which tendsto maintain it in contact with a shoulder or stop on the slide.

It We suppose thecylinder to be moving in the direction of the arrow,Fig. 6, the upper arm J will be retained by the upper dog fu for alength of time depending upon the distance ot' the end ot' the dog fromthe outer end of the arm, and as this distance depends upon thegovernor, the valve for admitting steam to the upper portion of thecylinder will remain open for a length of time commensurate With thespeed and requirements of the engine. The moment the arm J is releasedfrom the dog, it will be elevated by the spring p, and the valve will beclosed.

When the cylinder moves in a direction contrary to that pointed out bythe arrow, the same operation of the lower arm J and lower valve willtake place, while the rounded end of the upper arm, acting on thebeveled end oi' the upper dog, will depress and finally pass the latterpreparatory to a repetition ot' the above-described movements, when thecylinder again moves on its trunnions in the direction of the arrow.

It will be seen without further description that, as the cylindervibrates, the steam-valves are opened alternately', the timeot openingbeing always the same, but the time of closing in accordance with thespeed and requirements of the engine. 4

The arm H of the exhaust-valves within the chests b b, are connected byrods I to a xed pin, w, on the frame of the engine, so that the openingand closing ot' these valves will be uniform, and in accordance with thedemand for a free and uninterrupted disposal of the exhaust steam.

I claim as my invention- 1. The combination of the circular slottedvalve G and its spindle c, with a set-screw, h, at each end of thespindle, and an elastic medium interposed between each screw and thespindle, all substantially as and for the purpose described.

2. A steam-engine cylinder provided with a jacket, the space betweenwhich and the said cylinder is separated by a partition into twopassages, one for the live steam and the other for the exhaust steam, asset forth.

3. The combination ot' tne arms H H, sceured to the spindles of thesteam-valves, the spring-arms J J, hung to a bracket on the cylinderstrunnion, and the connectingrods I I, with the spring-dogs i.

In testimony whereof l have signed my name to this specitieation in thepresence ot' two sub* scribing witnesses.

GEORGE G. LOBDELL.

Witnesses:

H. HowsoN, HARRY SMITH.

